The Cat Fanciers' Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1906. The first cat shows licensed by CFA were held during 1906 - one in Buffalo and one in Detroit. The first Annual Meeting was held in 1907 at Madison Square Garden. In 1909, CFA published the first Stud Book and Register in the Cat Journal magazine. Also in 1909, Volume I of the Stud Book was published in book form. On September 18, 1919, articles of incorporation were drawn up under the laws of the State of New York. CFA then entered a new and successful era, and the Association has grown steadily over the years. Total receipts have grown from $155.25 in 1907 to over $2,300,000 during fiscal year 2002-2003.

CFA has grown in all areas from a humble beginning, and approximately 400 shows will be held this season worldwide. CFA shows are judged by individuals who meet high qualification criteria and have completed a rigorous training program that well qualifies them to evaluate the show cat using CFA Breed Standards

The CFA Central Office located in Manasquan, New Jersey, has grown from a "one person" operation to a modern computerized office that occupies over 10,000 square feet.

During 2003, the CFA Central Office staff of twenty-one efficiently handled litter registrations and cat registrations, in addition to transfers of ownership, additions of cattery name suffixes, cattery name registrations, duplicated or corrected registration certificates, certified pedigrees, cattery offspring reports, reverse pedigree reports, championship and premiership confirmations.

The CFA Foundation is charged with preserving this constantly evolving history of the Association.